Wright injures shoulder; Buchholz gets start

[E5 Yaz]

Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer
Steven Wright will miss at least one start after "jarring" his right shoulder while diving back into base as a pinch-runner last weekend in L.A., according to Red Sox manager John Farrell. Clay Buchholz will re-enter the rotation and start Saturday vs. Arizona. Wright has no structural damage, only inflammation.

 

[Scott Cooper]

Fire Farrell?

 

[Harry Hooper]

Yeesh, I hated that PR appearance since Wright was set up to run home as the tying run into a collision at the plate.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

well fuck.

So ERod and Price aren't getting any extra rest now.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Fire Farrell?

Eh. Wright has to run (theoretically) in interleague/post season games anyway. I'm just a little surprised it was Wright out on the field, instead of another, more athletic SP, relief pitcher, or bench player. Kudos for Wright for wanting to help out.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer
Steven Wright will miss at least one start after "jarring" his right shoulder while diving back into base as a pinch-runner last weekend in L.A., according to Red Sox manager John Farrell. Clay Buchholz will re-enter the rotation and start Saturday vs. Arizona. Wright has no structural damage, only inflammation.

Awesome. Let's see what happens with Clay. Any starters on the market for cheap?

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Red Sox Stats ‏@redsoxstats 13m13 minutes ago
Conspiracy theory: Tomorrow is going to be 100 degrees and they don't want Wright to sweat and suck.

 

[rembrat]

Eh. Wright has to run (theoretically) in interleague/post season games anyway. I'm just a little surprised it was Wright out on the field, instead of another, more athletic SP, relief pitcher, or bench player. Kudos for Wright for wanting to help out.

Maybe but of course Clay Buchholz was arguably are most athletic pitcher when he destroyed his hamstring running the bases in 2010.

 

[InsideTheParker]

I really want to sweep these guys. Now we could lose the f-ing series. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Doesn't this all sound precautionary and he would not be missing any time if there were 10 games left and we needed every game? (Issue is you can argue we need every game right now)

Nonetheless I'm annoyed, because you know there's a good chance Clay will find a way to blow up

 

[Rovin Romine]

Maybe but of course Clay Buchholz was arguably are most athletic pitcher when he destroyed his hamstring running the bases in 2010.

I, too, am understanding of this believement.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Red Sox Stats ‏@redsoxstats 13m13 minutes ago
Conspiracy theory: Tomorrow is going to be 100 degrees and they don't want Wright to sweat and suck.

I posted same in the Fire Farrell thread. Was thinking this out loud this morning.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

If the concern was really about the weather, why wouldn't they just say that? I mean, they've already made it known that Wright has had troubles with hot and humid conditions so it wouldn't be a stretch to push him back due to the weather. I'm sure the shoulder soreness is genuine, and at this point in the year better to err on the side of caution and not risk screwing Wright up further.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Maybe there's a team out there that wants to see Buchholz start a game

 

[E5 Yaz]

Marly Rivera ESPN Writer
Steven Wright has been scratched as the starter for the Red Sox tomorrow, when A-Rod was supposed to play his last game at Fenway with the Yankees.

ARod hits knuckleballers ... they're doing this on purpose!

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Maybe there's a team out there that wants to see Buchholz start a game

There's at least one...the team he's starting the game for. Doubtful there's anything more to it than that.

If a team wanted to trade for Buchholz and it was conditional on Buchholz making one more start for the Red Sox, the Sox would tell them to stuff it. They're not more interested in moving Buchholz than they are in winning games. Buchholz is starting because they think he's the best guy for the job (or the best they have who's healthy, anyway).

 

[Sprowl]

Maybe but of course Clay Buchholz was arguably are most athletic pitcher when he destroyed his hamstring running the bases in 2010.

This would have been a much better year for Clay Buchholz to destroy his hamstring running the bases. Stephen Wright isn't quite Tim Wakefield yet, but already has the knuckler's paunch. Nothing about his body type says pinch-runner.

I still think Buchholz has a few elite performances left in him, even in his latest incarnation as scrawny rodent.

 

[DJnVa]

Red Sox Stats ‏@redsoxstats 13m13 minutes ago
Conspiracy theory: Tomorrow is going to be 100 degrees and they don't want Wright to sweat and suck.

So Clay can sweat and suck? What's the difference?

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

Clay doesn't need to throw the ball with 0 rpm spin to avoid being hit hard.

 

[nvalvo]

Clay's thrown 9.2 IP in the pen, with 5 K against 1 BB and 7 H and a .522 OPS against. Word is that Bannister thinks his struggles were related to arm slot. I'm interested to see him start.

 

[effectivelywild]

Clay doesn't need to throw the ball with 0 rpm spin to avoid being hit hard.

...instead, he needs to not throw the ball whatsoever to avoid being hit hard

 

[benhogan]

I guess we got unlucky...does anyone have the 'awkward slide back' video.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

 

[Rovin Romine]

Put a glove on that man and it's the spitting image of Mike Greenwell.

 

[The Mort Report]

Remember Clay has only been a great half season type pitcher. Maybe we get the good Clay for the rest of the season. I'm not holding my breath but hey who knows

 

[RedOctober3829]

This is a move that even the most staunch Farrell defender can't defend.

 

[Curt S Loew]

This is a move that even the most staunch Farrell defender can't defend.

Upthread. Rembrat's Farrell defensive buzzer already activated.

 

[Ale Xander]

Is Wright a speed demon? Why couldn't someone like Ross or Barnes, who had pitched the day before, run? (Buchholz pitched the bottom of the 8th FYI couldn't really be him)

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

This is a move that even the most staunch Farrell defender can't defend.

Which move would that be, exactly? Starting Buchholz or using Wright as a pinch hitter? Because using pitchers (starting pitchers because why waste a reliever you might need later) in a pinch-running role is a common occurrence in the National League. Utilizing the previous night's starter in that role seems to be the most optimal in terms of utilizing those "resources".

 

[Lowrielicious]

Clay's thrown 9.2 IP in the pen, with 5 K against 1 BB and 7 H and a .522 OPS against. Word is that Bannister thinks his struggles were related to arm slot. I'm interested to see him start.

Me too. I've liked his work out of the pen, and he wouldn't be the first guy to work out his kinks in the bullpen and come back as a better starter.

Remember Clay has only been a great half season type pitcher. Maybe we get the good Clay for the rest of the season. I'm not holding my breath but hey who knows

Clay hitting a hot streak would be massive for this team to make a run at the division, then come playoff time with Porcello, Price, Wright, Pomeranz heading up the rotation he can be a multi inning relief ace. Or he can slot in to the rotation if any injury or rain delay knocks a starter out.

 

[Captaincoop]

That's great that it's common in the NL. Except the Red Sox are in the AL, and Wright has made approximately zero pinch running appearances.

I don't know if it was a terrible decision or just unlucky, but it certainly carried some risk, considering Red Sox pitchers never practice baserunning in some cases haven't done so in years.

 

[soxhop411]

This is a move that even the most staunch Farrell defender can't defend.

The bench was empty.... Unless you wanted to waste Hanley as a PR and not a PH....

 

[RedOctober3829]

Which move would that be, exactly? Starting Buchholz or using Wright as a pinch hitter? Because using pitchers (starting pitchers because why waste a reliever you might need later) in a pinch-running role is a common occurrence in the National League. Utilizing the previous night's starter in that role seems to be the most optimal in terms of utilizing those "resources".

SW used as a PR. In case you hadn't noticed, Wright isn't exactly fleet of foot. I'd rather have left Ortiz out on 2nd than put him in to run for that fact anyways. Now he gets hurt on top of it? Awesome move, John.

 

[RedOctober3829]

The bench was empty.... Unless you wanted to waste Hanley as a PR and not a PH....

I'd have kept Ortiz in the game as the runner. Not only is he better on the basepaths, it was only the 6th inning!!! It wasn't like it was the 9th and down a run.

 

[Sampo Gida]

Well, Wright as a pinch runner is easily the most unathletic pitcher on the team and the 2nd-3rd most valuable. Buchholz was my obvious choice, he is expendable. I questioned using Wright at the time so its not 2nd guessing on my part

More important though is that a shoulder injury that forces one to skip a start is potentially darn serious. No way the Red Sox make up a phantom injury and disclose it to the public, the player simply would not allow it if it were untrue. If it was weather, they could just say say so, but the forecast for Thursday night does not look awful per accuweather, even if sub-optimal. Red Sox simply cant afford to be w/o Wright, especially the last month of the season when the weather gets better and cooler

 

[E5 Yaz]

Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe 2h2 hours ago
Very common for pitchers to pinch run in NL games. Anybody suggesting this is somehow unusual doesn’t really follow the sport closely.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

...instead, he needs to not throw the ball whatsoever to avoid being hit hard

He could always throw over to first base, as long as there's a runner there.

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe 2h2 hours ago
Very common for pitchers to pinch run in NL games. Anybody suggesting this is somehow unusual doesn’t really follow the sport closely.

Unusual, no. An unnecessary risk to a prized commodity, yes. Above average starting pitchers should be bubble wrapped between starts.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Unusual, no. An unnecessary risk to a prized commodity, yes. Above average starting pitchers should be bubble wrapped between starts.

The Dodgers often have used Clayton Kershaw as a pinch runner. A couple weeks ago, the Giants used Madison Bumgarner as a pinch hitter and then pinch ran for him with Jeff Samardzjia. You'd think these teams wouldn't risk their prized commodities, but they do when it's necessary.

It's part of the game and it was a freak incident. Just as easily could have happened had Wright gotten on base himself the night before.

 

[Van Everyman]

Boy do I not see shit in this video. Maybe—maybe—he drags his arm a bit as he stands up to ask for his helmet back. But he doesn't even look like he really fell on his shoulder much less jammed it.

 

[soxhop411]

I'd have kept Ortiz in the game as the runner. Not only is he better on the basepaths, it was only the 6th inning!!! It wasn't like it was the 9th and down a run.

Ortiz was pulled because he was "sore" no? he was getting pulled that inning no matter what

 

[Bigpupp]

I'd have kept Ortiz in the game as the runner. Not only is he better on the basepaths, it was only the 6th inning!!! It wasn't like it was the 9th and down a run.

Ortiz started at 1st the night before and couldn't even make it the whole game, so I dont think he was open to being the lead runner that represented the tying run - even if it was only the 6th inning.

 

[czar]

Well, Wright as a pinch runner is easily the most unathletic pitcher on the team and the 2nd-3rd most valuable. Buchholz was my obvious choice, he is expendable. I questioned using Wright at the time so its not 2nd guessing on my part

More important though is that a shoulder injury that forces one to skip a start is potentially darn serious. No way the Red Sox make up a phantom injury and disclose it to the public, the player simply would not allow it if it were untrue. If it was weather, they could just say say so, but the forecast for Thursday night does not look awful per accuweather, even if sub-optimal. Red Sox simply cant afford to be w/o Wright, especially the last month of the season when the weather gets better and cooler

Wasn't Buchholz warming up in the bullpen at the time?

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Boy do I not see shit in this video. Maybe—maybe—he drags his arm a bit as he stands up to ask for his helmet back. But he doesn't even look like he really fell on his shoulder much less jammed it.

I agree. Looks pretty benign, though of course you can never be sure just from watching video. But as far as it goes, I think it supports the "no sweat" and/or "squirrel showcase" conspiracy theories.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

I hope to god he was doing that bunt on his own.

 

[YTF]

Doesn't appear to land on the shoulder but it's a pretty hard flop that he does. Watch his head. Not that much of a stretch that he jarred something in the shoulder/neck region.

 

[MuzzyField]

The Red Sox are an AL team, so this parade of pitchers running and hitting isn't part of THEIR game, thanks for playing Pete.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

The Red Sox are an AL team, so this parade of pitchers running and hitting isn't part of THEIR game, thanks for playing Pete.

Playing in an NL park with NL rules. Gotta adapt as the situation demands.

 

[Scott Cooper]

Speaking of odd managerial decisions when it comes to hitting and running of pitchers in NL parks...what's up with Brandon Workman. He's 13 months post surgery? Is there some sort of time table?

 

[MuzzyField]

Playing in an NL park with NL rules. Gotta adapt as the situation demands.

Adapt and being prepared the same as an NL team are two different things.